As a general rule in Poland, it is possible to incorporate in one of the following fashions:
* A limited liability company (with the suffix SP.Z.O.O)
The minimum number of shareholders is one. There is no maximum number of shareholders.
The company is not permitted to engage in certain specific areas of operations (such as insurance and banking).
The minimum equity of the company is PLN 50,000. The minimum price per share is - PLN 500.
It is compulsory to register with the authorities within 6 months of the date of incorporation.
The company may not offer shares to the public.
* A joint stock company (with the suffix S.A.)
The minimum number of founders - 3.
The company is licensed to engage in all areas of operations.
There is no minimum or maximum limit in regard to the number of shareholders.
The minimum equity of the company - PLN 500,000, the minimum price per share is - PLN 1.
It is compulsory to register with the authorities within 3 months of the date of incorporation.
The company may offer shares to the public.
Partnerships
Partnerships are divided into two categories - private partnerships and trading partnerships.
Trading partnerships are divided into two categories: registered partnerships
limited partnerships.
No partnership category is available to a foreign resident.
The main differences between the partnership categories are as follows:
Private partnership: Minimum number of partners - 2. There is no other limit on the number of partners. There is no need to register with the authorities and an agreement signed by the partners is sufficient.
Registered partnership: The partnership must be registered with the "Commercial Registrar". There is no limit to the number of partners. All partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the partnership.
Limited partnership: At least one partner (a general partner) has unlimited liability for the joint debts. The other partners may have limited liability.
The general partner has the exclusive right to represent and manage the partnership.
